Display and interaction method in a user interface

ABSTRACT

A display and interaction method in a user interface is provided. A display region is provided on the user interface for displaying a plurality of interactive items on a track. The track extends along a path created between an outer elliptical border and an inner elliptical border. The inner border lies within the outer border and a center of the inner border is offset from a center of the outer border. A plurality of elliptical frames are provided along the track, and each frame is in contact with the inner border, outer border, and its adjacent frames. An interactive item is displayed in some of the elliptical frames, and user input may move the frames along the track. The frames change in size as they move along the track.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from South African provisional patentapplication number 2015/09345 filed on 23 Dec. 2015, and South Africanprovisional patent application number 2016/01678 filed on 11 Mar. 2016,both of which are incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to display and interaction in a user interface.More particularly, the invention relates to a method of displaying aplurality of interactive items, navigating through the items, andselecting an item, which may be particularly, but by no meansexclusively, suited to small circular displays and to larger displays onwhich preview items are to be displayed.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

In many electronic devices, such as mobile phones, tablet computers,personal computers, or the like, a user interface is provided to receiveuser input and to control a display of the electronic device so as toallow a user to interact with the electronic device.

Displays of electronic devices are often similarly shaped, typicallyrectangular and in similar proportions, with the result that knowndisplay methods may be suitable for use on a variety of differentdevices. With the advent of wearable electronic devices, such asheadsets and smartwatches, displays are often in a shape that is notrectangular, and also of a smaller size than the displays of mobilephones, tablets or the like. As a result, known display methods may notbe suitable for use on devices with screens that are different fromrectangular screens, or for screens of particularly small sizes. Forexample, on a smartwatch with a round display, a rectangular displaymethod used on a mobile phone may not be suitable due to the limitationsin size and display space. However, on a small rectangular display,known display methods may also not be adequate.

Navigating through a plurality of interactive items on any display, butparticularly on a small display, may be problematic due to the fact thatthe interactive items need to be small so that a plurality thereof canbe displayed on the screen, while navigating through such interactiveitems using a display method for a rectangular device may beparticularly difficult. The interactive item may, for example, be anicon, a menu item, an application, an image or video, a button or anyother item positioned in a display region of the electronic device.Throughout this specification, the term “interactive item” should bebroadly interpreted and is used to refer to any target provided by auser interface which may or may not be displayed at that time and whicha user may wish to select.

In an example of an existing display method on a circular display of asmartwatch, a selection indicator is moved between different interactiveitems on the display. The user may then perform a selection action toselect the interactive item marked by the selection indicator. However,these items are often small and may be difficult to identify by a user.Additionally, this movement may not be fluid, with definite jumpsbetween items, which may be undesirable to a user. Additionally, when alarge number of interactive items need to be navigated, a paging methodmust be employed. This may limit the fluidity of navigation. A user mayfind it difficult to navigate through such a list of items as they maynot have an indicator of the next item in the list. Selection of smallinteractive items may be problematic due to a user's finger occluding asignificant portion of a small screen.

Known navigation methods on larger displays, including rectangulardisplays, may be cumbersome or difficult for a user. When navigating alarge number of interactive items, a user may wish to display aplurality of interactive items on the display. This may assist the userin orienting themselves within the number of items, so as to know when aspecific item may appear on the display during navigation, previewmultiple items or to allow a user to scan multiple interactive items atonce. However, when multiple interactive items are displayed on knowndisplays, the interactive items may not be clear enough to view oreasily navigate. Users may therefore choose to navigate throughinteractive items in a paging mode, but this may require multiplerepeated interactions with the display in order to cycle through theinteractive items. This may be undesirable to a user.

The present invention aims to alleviate these and other problems, atleast to some extent.

The preceding discussion of the background to the invention is intendedonly to facilitate an understanding of the present invention. It shouldbe appreciated that the discussion is not an acknowledgment or admissionthat any of the material referred to was part of the common generalknowledge in the art as at the priority date of the application.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the invention there is provided a display andinteraction method in a user interface including the steps of:

-   -   providing a display region for displaying a plurality of        interactive items on a track, the track extending along a path        created between an outer elliptical border and an inner        elliptical border, with the inner border lying within the outer        border and with a center of the inner border offset from a        center of the outer border;    -   providing a plurality of elliptical frames along the track, each        frame in contact with the outer border, the inner border, a        first neighboring frame adjacent it and in a first direction        along the track, and a second neighboring frame adjacent it and        in an opposite, second direction along the track;    -   displaying one or more interactive items each based on one of        the elliptical frames; and    -   in response to receiving a predetermined user input, moving the        plurality of elliptical frames along the track, with the        plurality of elliptical frames changing in size to remain in        contact with the inner boundary, outer boundary, first        neighboring frame and second neighboring frame whilst moving.

Further features provide for each of the one or more interactive itemsto be within one of the frames; for an interactive item to change insize corresponding to a change in size of its frame;

for an interactive item within a frame to fade into or out of viewcorresponding to a change in size of the frame; or for a frame todisplay only a part of an interactive item, with an increase in size ofthe frame allowing for visibility of more of the interactive item.

Still further features provide for the track to be an elliptical track;and for centers of the frames to move along the track.

Yet further features provide for the outer border to lie adjacent to orto be defined by a boundary of a circular display; for the circulardisplay to be that of a smartwatch; and for the circular display to be atouch-sensitive display.

A further feature provides for the method to include the step of, inresponse to receiving a selection input, selecting an interactive item.In one embodiment, a largest displayed frame from the plurality offrames is allocated as a primary frame, and the selection input selectsthe interactive item based on the primary frame. The selection input maybe that the display is touched in any location. In an alternativeembodiment, the selection input is that any frame or interactive item isselected via a touch action performed on the touch-sensitive display onthe frame or interactive item. In at least one embodiment, only some ofthe interactive items may be selectable, possibly only interactive itemsbased on larger frames.

An interactive item may be animated to maximize from its position whenselected; and may grow until it covers the entire display or the areaenclosed by the outer border. In some embodiments, a return, back orundo function may be provided, and the maximized interactive item may beanimated to its previous position in the frame when this function isselected.

A further feature provides for the predetermined user input to bereceived from an input device of an electronic device housing thedisplay; for the electronic device to be a smartwatch; and for the inputdevice to be an operating bezel, operating crown, operating button,operating switch, touch-sensitive display, or the like of thesmartwatch; alternatively for the predetermined user input to bereceived from an external input component such as a computer mouse, akeyboard, a remote control or the like.

Still further features provide for the predetermined user input toinclude a first mode of touch interaction in which the frames are movedalong the track in response to a rotating touch input on thetouch-sensitive display or a rotation flicking gesture on thetouch-sensitive display in the desired rotation direction, and whereinthe rotating touch input causes the frames to rotate at a constant speedor near constant speed with gradual deceleration.

Yet further features provide for the predetermined user input to includea second mode of touch interaction in which a touch input provides anon-linear speed control of the speed of rotation of the frames alongthe track; for the non-linear speed control to be a one dimensionalcontrol having a center point from which touch movement in a firstdirection away from the center point causes accelerated rotation of theframes in a first direction along the track and touch movement in asecond direction away from the center point causes an acceleratedrotation of the frames in a second direction along the track; and forthe one dimensional control to be along a line or arc in a designatedarea of the display. The center point may be variable, and may beallocated as a first position of touch on the display.

Further features provide for the predetermined user input to include acombination of the first and second mode of touch interaction andwherein a first touch of a user on an area of the touch-sensitive screendesignated for activating one of the first or second mode of touchinteraction activates that mode of touch interaction; and for the methodto include the step of providing an indication of the current mode oftouch interaction.

A still further feature provides for the number of frames provided onthe display to be less than a number of interactive items in a list suchthat interactive items in the frames at a given time represent a subsetof the total number of interactive items in the list.

Yet further features provide for the method to include the step ofproviding a transition zone; and for the display to be configured suchthat the subset of interactive items is updated as a frame moves throughthe transition zone.

Further features provide for the subset of interactive items to bearranged in order such that a highest position in the subset and alowest position in the subset are located adjacent the transition zoneand at opposite sides thereof, for the subset to be updated by replacinga specific interactive item in the list as a frame in which the specificinteractive item is located moves through the transition zone; for theinteractive item in the highest position in the subset to be replaced inits frame by an interactive item one position lower than the lowestinteractive item in the subset as the frame with the highest position inthe subset moves through the transition zone; and for the interactiveitem in the lowest position in the subset to be replaced by theinteractive item one position higher than the highest interactive itemin the list when the frame with the lowest position in the subset movesthrough the transition zone.

In at least one embodiment, the transition zone includes a transitionline, and a frame may have parts of different interactive items in it asit moves over the line. In at least one further embodiment, the framesdarken or fade as they move towards the transition zone, and may lightenor become clearer as they move away from the transition zone. In such anembodiment, the transition zone may be dark or clear so that replacementof interactive items is not visible to a user.

In at least one embodiment, when the subset of interactive items reachesthe end of the list, the final item in the list is included in a frame,subsequent frames appearing from the transition zone are empty; andmovement in a current direction stops when the frame with the finalinteractive item in the list reaches its largest possible size. In anadditional embodiment, the subset of interactive items restarts at anopposite end of the list when the final item in the list appears fromthe transition zone.

Further features provide for the interactive items to define hierarchyheadings, with selection of a main hierarchy heading interactive itemcausing replacement of the interactive items on the display withsub-heading interactive items associated with the selected hierarchyheading interactive item; and for the method to include the step of,responsive to receiving a return input whilst sub-heading interactiveitems are displayed, causing replacement of the sub-heading interactiveitems on the display with main heading interactive items.

Still further features provide for at least one of the interactive itemsto be a lower order display region for displaying a plurality of lowerorder interactive items on a lower order track, the lower order trackextending along a lower order path created between a lower order outerelliptical border and an lower order inner elliptical border within theat least one interactive item, with the lower order inner border lyingwithin the lower order outer border and with a center of the lower orderinner border offset from a center of the lower order outer border; forthe method to include the step of providing a plurality of lower orderelliptical frames along the lower order track, each lower order frame incontact with the outer border of the interactive item, the inner borderof the interactive item, a first neighboring lower order frame adjacentit and in a first direction along the lower order track, and a secondlower order neighboring frame adjacent it and in an opposite, seconddirection along the lower order track; and for a selection inputperformed on the interactive item to cause the lower order displayregion to fill the display region.

A yet further feature provides for several display regions to beprovided on a single display, each including a display and interactionmethod in a user interface in accordance with the invention and beingindependently controllable and selectable by suitable user input.

A further feature provides for the interactive items to be multimediaitems such as pictures or videos, emoticon icons, menu headings, socialmedia posts, video previews, application icons, contact list items,phone numbers, or the like.

Still further features provide for, in an embodiment where theinteractive items are videos, the videos to be configured to play whilstdisplayed; for selection of a video to cause the video to enlarge and,optionally, play in a full-screen mode; for only a selected number ofthe videos on the display to play whilst displayed; and for the playedvideos to be interactive items of a larger size than non-playing videoson the display screen.

A yet further feature provides for information regarding the interactiveobjects, the list of interactive items, the subset of interactive items,or the interactive item in a largest frame on the display to bedisplayed in an information display space provided in a central regionof the inner border.

Further features provide for the step of moving the plurality of framesalong the track to include adjusting the speed of the movement; and forthe movement to simulate inertia by gradually slowing down responsive toa predetermined user input that resulted in the movement.

A still further feature provides for the method to include the step of,via an configuration interface, allowing a user to adjust the sizeand/or configuration of the outer border, the inner border, the numberof frames forming part of the interface or the orientation of the trackwith respect to the display, or the variation between the sizes of theframes.

Yet further features provide for the elliptical outer border, ellipticalinner border and elliptical frames to be circular; and for the frames,inner circular boundary and outer circular boundary to form a Steinerchain.

The track, the outer elliptical border, the inner elliptical border andthe elliptical frames may be hidden from view on the user interfacewhile the interactive items are displayed.

The invention extends to an electronic device having a user interface,the user interface comprising:

-   -   a display component for displaying a plurality of interactive        items on a track, the track extending along a path created        between an outer elliptical border and an inner elliptical        border, with the inner border lying within the outer border and        with a center of the inner border offset from a center of the        outer border;    -   a frame management component for providing a plurality of        elliptical frames along the track, each frame in contact with        the outer border, the inner border, a first neighboring frame        adjacent it and in a first direction along the track, and a        second neighboring frame adjacent it and in an opposite, second        direction along the track;    -   an interactive item management component for displaying an        interactive item within at least some of the elliptical frames;        and    -   an input component for receiving user input.

A further feature provides for the display component to be configuredto, in response to receiving a predetermined user input, move theplurality of frames along the track via a moving component.

Still further features provide for the input component for receiving auser input to be received from an input device associated with thedisplay and for the input device to be an operating bezel, operatingcrown, operating button, operating switch, touch-sensitive display, orthe like; alternatively for the predetermined user input to be receivedfrom an external input component such as a computer mouse, a keyboard, aremote control or the like.

Yet further features provide for the input component for receiving auser input to include a first touch input component for providing a modeof touch interaction in which the frames are moved along the track inresponse to a rotating touch input on the touch-sensitive display or arotation flicking gesture on the touch-sensitive display in the desiredrotation direction, and wherein the rotating touch input causes theframes to rotate at a constant speed or near constant speed with gradualdeceleration.

Further features provide for the input component for receiving a userinput to include a second touch input component for providing a secondmode of touch interaction in which a touch input provides a non-linearspeed control of the speed of rotation of the frames along the track;for the non-linear speed control to be a one dimensional control havinga center point from which touch movement in a first direction away fromthe center point causes accelerated rotation of the frames in a firstdirection along the track and touch movement in a second direction awayfrom the center point causes an accelerated rotation of the frames in asecond direction along the track; and for the one dimensional control tobe along a line or arc in a designated area of the display.

A still further feature provides for the frame management component tobe configured to, in response to the frames moving along the track,adjust the size of the frames via a frame adjustment component so thateach frame remains in contact with the inner boundary, outer boundary,first neighboring frame and second neighboring frame whilst moving.

Yet further features provide for the interactive item managementcomponent to be configured to change the size of an interactive itemwithin a frame corresponding to a change in size of the frame via aninteractive item size adjustment component; to fade or change thevisibility of an interactive item by fading into or out of viewcorresponding to a change in location of the frame; or to display only apart of an interactive item, with an increase in size of the frameallowing for visibility of more of the interactive item.

Further features provide for the electronic device to be a smartwatch;for the outer border to lie adjacent to or to be defined by a boundaryof the smartwatch; and for the display to be a circular touch-sensitivedisplay of the smartwatch.

Still further features provide for the electronic device to include arectangular display; and for the electronic device to be a television,computer, tablet or mobile phone.

Yet further features provide for the system to include a configurationcomponent configured to allow a user to adjust the size and/orconfiguration of the outer elliptical border, the inner ellipticalborder, or the number of frames forming part of the interface.

A further feature provides for the frames, inner boundary and outerboundary to be circular, and to form a Steiner chain. The track, theouter elliptical border, the inner elliptical border and the ellipticalframes may be hidden from view on the user interface while theinteractive items are displayed.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of exampleonly, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating logical components of anembodiment of a user interface according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a flow diagram illustrating steps performed in a display andinteraction method in a user interface according to the invention;

FIG. 3A to 3D illustrate an exemplary implementation of a display andinteraction method in a user interface according to the invention;

FIG. 4A to 4D illustrate an alternative exemplary implementation of adisplay and interaction method in a user interface according to theinvention;

FIG. 5A to 5C illustrate a further implementation of a display andinteraction method in a user interface according to the invention;

FIG. 6 illustrates a still further implementation of a display andinteraction method in a user interface according to the invention;

FIG. 7 illustrates a yet further implementation of a display andinteraction method in a user interface according to the invention;

FIG. 8 illustrates a further implementation of a display and interactionmethod in a user interface according to the invention;

FIG. 9A illustrates a still further implementation of a display andinteraction method in a user interface according to the invention;

FIG. 9B illustrates a yet further implementation of a display andinteraction method in a user interface according to the invention;

FIG. 10 illustrates a graph showing a non-linear speed control of thedisplay in accordance with an aspect of the invention; and

FIG. 11 illustrates a further implementation of a display andinteraction method in a user interface according to the invention.

FIG. 12 illustrates an implementation of a display and interactionmethod in a user interface according to the invention on a rectangulardisplay;

FIG. 13 illustrates a further implementation of a display andinteraction method in a user interface according to the invention on arectangular display; and

FIG. 14 illustrates a still further implementation of a display andinteraction method in a user interface according to the invention on arectangular display.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION WITH REFERENCE TO THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention provide a user interface usable to displayand navigate a plurality of interactive items. Logical components of auser interface (100) according to an embodiment of the invention areshown in FIG. 1.

The user interface (100) may be the user interface of any electronicdevice incorporating a display, such as a mobile phone, tablet computer,personal computer, television, in-vehicle control or infotainmentsystem, wearable electronic device, smartwatch or the like. As will beapparent later in the description, the user interface is particularlysuited for use with a circular display, especially a small circulardisplay such as that of a smartwatch. However, the described userinterface may also be used within a rectangular or square display suchas a computer screen or television. It should be noted for the purposesof this description that a circle is a specific type of ellipse, withmajor and minor axes of a circle being of equal length, while a majorand minor axis of an ellipse have different lengths.

The user interface (100) may include a display component (110) fordisplaying a plurality of interactive items on a track. The interactiveitems may be, for example, multimedia items, emoticons, menu headings,social media posts, video previews, application icons, contact listitems, and phone numbers or the like, which may be selected, opened orotherwise interacted with.

As will become apparent from the description that follows, the track mayextend along a path created between an outer elliptical border and aninner elliptical border. The inner border may lie within the outerborder, with a center of the inner border offset from a center of theouter border. The interactive items may be based on frames within thetrack which may form a closed Steiner chain if the outer border, innerborder and frames are circular.

A Steiner chain of circles may be used to form the basis of thedescribed display and control technique when the borders and frames arecircular. Interactive items may be displayed based on the frames of acontinuously rotatable asymmetric chain. Only two or three frames may belarge enough at any given time for proper view and convenient touchselection. The user controls the chain's rotation rate and lets eachframe roll smoothly through the point where it reaches its maximum size.A new item may replace an old one on the opposite side in the smallestframe.

Selection may trigger an animation where the frame may grow and move tofill the display with its contents. This procedure can be iterated fornext level selection or hierarchy navigation.

A Steiner chain consists of a finite number of circles that are alltangent to two non-intersecting given circles. In addition, every circlein the chain also touches its two neighbors. In certain describedembodiments, the frames take the form of the circles and provide a basisfor the interactive items giving more flexibility to the display ofinteractive items based on the frames. For example, the interactiveitems may be within the frames. The radius ratio of an outer and innercircle is constrained by the number of circles in the chain. If thisconstraint is met, Steiner's porism guarantees that a closed chain canbe constructed starting with any circle that touches them both. This inturn implies that a continuous rotation of the chain is possible.

The display component (110) may include a moving component (112) formoving interactive items along the track when required. Throughout thespecification, the term “moving” should be broadly interpreted, andshall include bringing moving items to a standstill, and increasingand/or decreasing the speed of moving items. To the extent created bythe display refreshment rate of the electronic device display, themovement may be made to appear continuous and smooth to the user, ratherthan in discrete steps.

The user interface (100) further includes a frame management component(120) for providing a plurality of frames along the track. The frames inembodiments of the invention are elliptical. Each frame is in contactwith the outer border, inner border, and with a first neighboring framein a first direction along the track thereto, and with a secondneighboring frame along an opposite, second direction of the track.

An interactive item management component (130) provides an interactiveitem based on at least some of the frames, and in some instancespositioned within all of the frames. The frames may be visible, or maybe located in the background so that it appears that the interactiveitems move on their own. However, interactive items will be based onelliptical frames as they will move with the frame, as further describedbelow. The described interactive items are generally provided within theframes or congruent with the frames, and centered on the frames.However, the interactive items may be larger than the frames resultingin an overlap of the interactive items. The interactive items may becorrespond to a shape of the frames but may be any alternative shape.The frames themselves may be hidden, with only the interactive itemsbeing visible and displayed on the display.

In response to movement of the frames along the track, the frames areresized so as to remain in contact with the outer border, inner borderand neighboring frames. To ensure this, a frame size adjustmentcomponent (122) of the frame management component (120) adjusts the sizeof the frames. Simultaneously, an interactive item size adjustmentcomponent (132) adjusts the size of the interactive items within theframes. The adjustment of the frame size and the interactive item sizemay be linked to automatically correspond so that they are adjusted inproportion to each other.

In at least some embodiments, the interactive item management component(130) is configured to fade or make interactive items less visible in aspecific location along the track. This is achieved via an interactiveitem visibility component (134).

If the plurality of frames, inner boundary and outer boundary are allcircular, they may form a Steiner chain.

In at least some embodiments, a user may be able to adjust the size ofthe outer border, the offset of the inner border, the number of frames,selected interactive items appearing on the track, the orientation ofthe track with respect to the display, and/or the variation between thesizes of the frames. This may be done via a configuration component(150).

Movement of the frames and the interactive items therein along the trackis initiated by predetermined user input received via an input component(140). The input component (140) may include a bezel input component(141) and/or a touch-sensitive input component (142). Thetouch-sensitive input component (142) may include a first touch inputcomponent (143) and a second touch input component (144). The firsttouch input component (143) may provide functionality for providing afirst mode of touch input in which a user may rotate the interactiveitems by touching the display in a rotating movement, or by flicking ina rotating direction further details of which are provided below. Thesecond touch input component (144) may provide functionality forproviding a second mode of touch input in which a user may rotate theinteractive items by touching a slider scale controlling non-linearrotation speed further details of which are provided below.

FIG. 2 shows a flow diagram (200) representing an example of a methodwhich may be performed in such a display and interaction method. Aplurality of interactive items are displayed (202) on a track providedin a display region of the user interface (100) via the displaycomponent (110). As described above, the track may extend along a pathcreated between an outer elliptical border and an inner ellipticalborder. The inner border may lie within the outer border, with a centeroffset from a center of the outer border. The display component (110)may include a moving component (112) for moving interactive items alongthe track when required. The track itself, including the outerelliptical border and inner elliptical border, may be hidden from viewso that only the interactive items are visible on the display component(110). Then, only interactive items within the frame may be visible. Theuser will then only see the interactive items which appear to resize asthey move along the track.

A plurality of frames are provided (204) along the track by the framemanagement component (120). As mentioned, these frames may be in thebackground and may not necessarily be displayed on the display. As alsodescribed above, each frame is in contact with the outer border, innerborder, and with a first neighboring frame in a first direction alongthe track thereto, and with a second neighboring frame along anopposite, second direction of the track.

An interactive item is provided (206) in at least some of the frames,possibly in all of the frames.

User input is received (208) from the input component (140). In responseto receipt of a predetermined input, the plurality of frames and theinteractive items therein move (210) along the track. Movement isfacilitated by the moving component (112). The direction and speed ofmovement depend on the input received.

The frame size adjustment component (122) adjusts (212) the size of theframes, which may be done in the background so as not to be visible, sothat they remain in contact with the borders and neighboring frames. Theinteractive item size adjustment component (132) adjusts (214) the sizeof interactive items in the frames, while the interactive itemvisibility component (134) adjusts (216) the visibility of certaininteractive items.

If further predetermined user input is received (208), movement may beinfluenced thereby. This may lead to further size and visibilityadjustments to the frames and interactive items. When a selection inputis received (218), an interactive item in a selected frame is selected.

An exemplary implementation of a display and interaction method in auser interface is illustrated in FIGS. 3A to 3D.

FIG. 3A shows a smartwatch (300) with a partial exemplary representationof a user interface according to the invention on a circular,touch-sensitive display (302) thereof. A display region of the userinterface is provided by the display (302) of the smartwatch. Anelliptical track (304) is provided on the display (302), and extendsbetween an outer circular border (306) and inner circular border (308).In the present embodiment, the outer circular border (306) is defined bythe outer periphery of the display (302) of the smartwatch (300). Thecenter of the inner border (308) is offset from the center of the outerborder (306). The track (304) extends along a path (310) created betweenthe inside of the outer border (306), and the outside of the innerborder (308).

The track (304) follows the center of the path (310) and is in anelliptical shape. It should be noted that the track (304) and innerborder (308) are shown in broken lines. It is envisaged that the track(304) and inner border (308) will not be visible to a user. The linesmay merely reside in the background, with the final display shown to theuser a result of the use of the inner border (308) and track (304).Similarly, the outer border (306) need not be visible to a user, but maysimply be the periphery of the display (302) of the smart watch (300).

A plurality of frames (312, 314, 316, 318, 320, 322) are provided alongthe track (304). Only some of these frames are numbered. Centers of theframes are located on the track (304). The frames are sized so that eachframe is in contact with the outer border (306), the inner border (308),a neighboring frame located in a first direction along the trackdirectly next to it, and a neighboring frame in a opposite, seconddirection along the track directly next to it. As an example, it can beseen that a current largest frame (320) is in contact with both a firstneighboring frame (318) and a second neighboring frame (322). It is alsoin contact with the outer border (306) and the inner border (308). Allother frames are similarly in contact with the borders and theirneighboring frames. The frames form what is known as a closed Steinerchain.

FIG. 3A does not show interactive items in the frames. Interactive itemsare shown in the frames in FIGS. 3B to 3D, which are enlarged views ofthe display (302).

In the present embodiment, input may be provided to the smartwatch (300)via an operating bezel (324) provided at the periphery of the display(302) of the smartwatch (300). Movement of the interactive items may beinitiated by turning the operating bezel (324), as will be described infurther detail below. Input may additionally or alternatively beprovided via touch-sensitive inputs. The following embodiments aredescribed using the operating bezel (324) as the input component;however, it will be appreciated that this may be replaced or augmentedby touch-sensitive user inputs as described below in relation to FIGS.9A, 9B, 10 and 11.

FIG. 3B shows an enlarged display (302) of the smartwatch of FIG. 3Awhen the display is activated. Like reference numerals in FIG. 3Bindicate like items of FIG. 3A. In the present embodiment, the number offrames on the display is 20 frames. This may be a maximum number offrames that can be displayed on the display. The display (302) in FIG.3B starts out stationary. Interactive items (326, 328, 330, 332, 334,336) are provided in the frames (312, 314, 316, 318, 320, 322). In thepresent embodiment, the interactive items are menu icons that a user maywish to select in order to perform a certain function, to access adesired submenu, to access desired information, to open a specificapplication, or the like.

In this embodiment, the user interface is configured such that theinteractive items in the largest three frames are selectable via thetouch-sensitive display (302). Presently, the three largest frames (318,320, 322) respectively include interactive items relating to a calendarapplication (332), a contacts list (334) and a messaging inbox (336).These interactive items may be selected by touching the touch-sensitivedisplay on the frame with the desired interactive item.

In order to select a different interactive item, for example aninteractive item relating to a settings menu (328), the user will needto navigate to that interactive item so that it is selectable and fallswithin the three frames with selectable interactive items. To navigatethe interactive items, a user may turn the operating bezel (324) of thesmartwatch (300) to provide an input to the smartwatch, as can be seenin FIG. 3C. The user has turned the operating bezel (324) in a clockwisedirection indicated by a directional arrow (340), which causes theframes to move along the track (304) in the same direction. The frameshave rotated such that the desired interactive item relating to asettings menu (328) is in one of the largest three frames. It should benoted that the interactive items move along the track within theirrespective frames. Accordingly, the settings menu interactive item (328)is still located within its original frame. During movement, the framesadjust in size so that they remain in contact with their neighboringframes and the inner and outer borders. The interactive items within theframes adjust in size along with their frames.

The user may rotate the operating bezel (324) in an opposite,counter-clockwise direction shown by a further directional arrow (342)in order to stop movement of the interactive items. This is shown inFIG. 3D, and may allow the user to more easily select the desiredinteractive item through the touch-sensitive display. Alternatively, theuser may select an interactive item while it is moving along the trackwithin its frame. The user may also move the bezel in a same directionas a current direction of movement in order to speed up movement in thatdirection. Then, movement in an opposite direction will slow downmovement of the interactive items and frames. It should be noted thatmovement along the track in either direction is possible, and depends ona user's initial input.

As explained above, the frames and interactive items are dynamicallyresized whilst they are moving along the track. The frames of thepresent embodiment are continuously resized whilst moving along thetrack so that they still form a Steiner chain together with the outerborder and inner border. The interactive items are resized along withthe frames in which they are located.

The display and navigation method explained above may provide a morefluid navigation experience on a small round screen than if a selectionindicator were moved between different interactive items. The use of aSteiner chain to resize frames and interactive items may allow foreasier navigation through a list of items than if the items were all ofa similar size. The above method may allow for the display of more itemsin a list, for easier navigation due to a user being able to see moreinteractive items without the need for a paging function, and mayprovide a more fluid navigation experience.

It will be apparent to a person skilled in the art that manymodifications may be made to the embodiment described above withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention. Interactive items may beselected in a number of ways. In some embodiments, only the interactiveitem in the largest frame on the display may be selectable, andselection anywhere on the touch-sensitive display will select that item.In such an embodiment, the largest frame may considered a “primaryframe”, and selection anywhere on the display will select theinteractive item in the primary frame. Alternatively, a selection buttonor the like may be employed to select an interactive item in a primaryframe.

In alternative embodiments, more than three interactive items may beselectable, for example five interactive items located in the fivelargest frames. In other embodiments, all of the interactive items maybe selectable, and a user's ability to select an interactive item willdepend on how accurately the user can select the smaller frames on thedisplay. This may however not be practical on small displays. A stylusor similar interaction device may also assist with selection ofinteractive items.

In some embodiments, more interactive items may be available than can bedisplayed on the display simultaneously. For example, there may be 60items.

FIGS. 4A to 4E show an additional embodiment of the invention. Acircular display (402) of a smartwatch (400) is again shown. Again, anelliptical track (404) is provided on the display (402), and extendsbetween an outer circular border (406) and inner circular border (408).The outer circular border (406) is defined by the outer periphery of thedisplay (402) of the smartwatch (400). The center of the inner circularborder (408) is offset from the center of the outer circular border(406). The track (404) extends along a path (410) created between theinside of the outer border (406), and the outside of the inner border(408). The track (404) follows the center of the path (410). The track(404) and inner border (408) are again shown in broken lines.

A plurality of frames are provided along the track. Centers of theframes are located on the track. The frames are sized so that each frameis in contact with the outer border (406), the inner border (408), aneighboring frame located in a first direction along the track directlynext to it, and a neighboring frame in an opposite, second directionalong the track directly next to it. The frames of this embodiment againform a closed Steiner chain.

In the present embodiment, interactive items in the form of photos areprovided in the frames. Each frame contains a photo. The photos formpart of an extensive list of photos, which contains too many photos toallow all of the photos in the list to be shown in the number of framesshown on the display. Only a subset of the list of interactive items aretherefore shown on the display at any given time. Presently, numbers inthe frames represent the photos forming part of the subset.

FIG. 4A shows images numbered IMG054 to IMG072 in various sizes, each inits own frame. These photos form the current subset displayed.

The list of the present embodiment contains 250 items, ranging fromphoto IMG001 to photo IMG250. In order to navigate to a specific photo,the user will again need to turn an operating bezel (424) of thesmartwatch. Navigating to an interactive item within the current subsetmay take place as was described with reference to FIGS. 3A to 3D.However, in the present embodiment, interactive items do not merelycycle around the display along the track. A transition zone (450) isprovided where the subset of interactive items is updated.

The transition zone (450) is located at a position where a frame willhave the smallest size it can be on the display, as can be more clearlyseen in FIG. 4B. FIG. 4B shows an enlargement of the smallest frames onthe display. The transition zone (450) is blacked out. Instead of merelycycling through the interactive items on the display as per the previousembodiment, the subset of interactive items is updated whilst the framesare moving. As the transition zone is blacked out, the replacement ofinteractive items in the transition zone is not clearly visible to auser. A frame immediately below the transition zone, containing photoIMG072, contains the interactive item with the highest number in thecurrent subset of interactive items. The frame on the opposite side ofthe transition zone (450) contains the photo with the lowest number(IMG054). The frame in the transition zone (450) is not visible, as thetransition zone (450) is blacked out.

When the operating bezel (424) of the smartwatch (400) is movedcounter-clockwise, the frames move in the same direction along the track(404), as indicated by the directional arrow (444). As the frame withphoto number IMG072 moves into the transition zone (450), a frame withnumber IMG053 appears therefrom. The transition zone (450) remainsblacked out, as shown in FIG. 4C.

In FIG. 4D, the frame with IMG072 has moved into the transition zone(450), and is now completely blacked out. If movement continues in thesame direction, IMG052 will emerge from the transition zone (450) in theframe that IMG072 used to be in. The subset of interactive items in theframes on the display (402) is updated in this manner. The blacking outof the transition zone (450) makes the replacement of interactive itemsin frames appear to be a fluid action, without sudden jumps in theinteractive items shown in frames.

It is also envisaged that frames may gradually become darker as theymove towards the transition zone (450), and may gradually lighten asthey move away therefrom. This may contribute to a fluid transitionexperience, as sudden “jumps” in interactive items within a frame maynot be easily detected by a user.

FIGS. 5A to 5C show an additional embodiment of a transition zone, wherethe transition zone includes a virtual transition line (560). The samenumbered photos are present in this embodiment. When a frame is locatedsuch that the transition line (560) bisects it, part of differentinteractive items appear on both sides of the transition line (560) inthe same frame. A first end of the subset of interactive items appearson one side of the line, and a second end of the list appear on anopposite side of the line.

In the present example, in FIG. 5A, the transition line (560) bisects afirst frame (562) into two substantially equal parts. IMG054 is in thefirst complete frame on one side of the transition line (560), andIMG072 is in the first complete frame on an opposite side of thetransition line (560). The first frame (562) includes half of IMG053 onthe side of the line adjacent IMG054, and half of IMG073 on an oppositeside, adjacent IMG072.

In FIG. 5B, IMG053 completely fills the first frame in which it was onlypartially displayed in FIG. 5A, as this frame has moved completelyacross the transition line (560) in the direction indicated by thedirectional arrow (570). IMG073 has been removed from the displayedsubset of interactive items. A second frame (564), next to the firstframe, is now bisected by the transition line (560). Previously, thissecond frame only contained IMG072. Now, a part of IMG052 appears in thesecond frame on the same side of the transition line (560) as IMG053. InFIG. 5C, the second frame is bisected into substantially two equal partshalf by the transition line (560), with IMG052 on one side, and IMG072on an opposite side. If movement continues, the second frame willcontain only IMG052, and IMG072 will be removed from the displayedsubset of interactive items in the frames. This replacement willcontinue as frames move along the track.

It is envisaged that the transition zone may be blacked out, as in theembodiment described with reference to FIGS. 4B to 4D. While in thebackground interactive items will be gradually replaced as a frame movesacross the transition line, the blacked-out transition zone may blockthis from view of the user, contributing to a fluid user interfaceexperience. Additionally, as described with reference to FIGS. 4B to 4C,frames with interactive items may gradually become darker as theyapproach the transition zone, and lighten as they move away therefrom.

FIG. 6 shows an embodiment where an end of the list of interactive itemshas been reached while navigating the list. In this embodiment, framesremain empty as the end of the list is approached, with movement stoppedas the final interactive item is reached. The final interactive item isalso only allowed to move until its frame has reached its largest size.In FIG. 6, rotation of the interactive items in FIGS. 4A to 4D hascontinued until IMG001 has been added to the list of interactive itemsdisplayed in the frames. No further interactive items have been added toframes. The empty frames (680) are dark to indicate that they are empty.IMG001 and its frame are shown in their largest possible sizes, andmovement of the frames has stopped automatically when this size has beenreached. This indicates to a user that the end of the list has beenreached. Navigation can only occur in the opposite direction, when theoperating bezel is moved in a clockwise direction. The empty frames neednot be displayed, but may simply be absent from the display.

FIG. 7 shows an alternative embodiment, where reaching a last item in alist of interactive items causes items at the opposite end of the listto be placed next to the last item. No empty frames are therefore shown.As the current list is 250 interactive items long, IMG0250 is placednext to IMG001, IMG0249 next to it, and so forth. This may allow a userto continuously cycle through a list of interactive items without therequirement to navigate through the whole list to reach an opposite endof the list.

FIG. 8 shows an embodiment where a central region inside the innerboundary (408) is used as an information display space (890). Theremainder of FIG. 8 is the same as FIG. 4A above. The informationdisplay space (890) may include information relating to the interactiveitem in a current largest frame, to the list of interactive items, tothe subset of interactive items, or the like. In the embodiment shown,the information includes a title (892) of the current interactive itemin the largest frame, a range of numbers (894) of interactive itemscurrently forming part of the subset of interactive times, and a title(896) of the current list of interactive items. It should be noted thatany similar information may be displayed in the information displayspace (890).

Direct manipulation of virtual items on a small touch-sensitive displaymay become problematic when a finger of user, used to interact with theinteractive items, occludes a significant fraction of the screen. Thistypically happens in the case of a smartwatch with diameter on the orderof 30 mm. The relatively small screen size also limits the number ofitems that can be visually distinguished and reliably selected bytapping. A rotating bezel keeps the user's fingers off the screen, andbezel movements can either be mapped to the position of the items or tothe rate of rotation. Additionally or alternatively, gestures on thescreen may be detected to initiate rotation, with kinetic behavior ifdesired. A minimal speed controller strip on the screen or elsewhere onthe watch is a third possibility. Selection may be done as usual bytapping directly on the item or by pressing a button; the latter willselect the item in the largest circle.

It will be apparent to a person skilled in the art that various methodsmay be employed to receive user input from an electronic smartwatch.Instead of an operating bezel, an operating button, an operating switch,operating crown, or the like may be provided. In at least someembodiments may user input be received directly via the touch-sensitivedisplay, with a user moving the frames and interactive items via touchmovement on a display of the smartwatch. This may allow clutching orflicking of the frames to induce movement of the frames along the track.A combination of bezel operation and touch-sensitive display operationmay also be used.

A first mode of touch-sensitive display operation is described in theform of a touch and rotate operation. The first mode of touchinteraction moves the frames along the track in response to a rotatingtouch input on the touch-sensitive display or a rotation flickinggesture on the touch-sensitive display in the desired rotationdirection. The rotating touch input causes the frames to rotate at aconstant speed or near constant speed with gradual deceleration. For adescription of the first mode of touch interaction, an asymmetricSteiner chain display is used, and only two or three items are displayedlarge enough for proper view and convenient selection. The remainingitems are typically much smaller or even out of sight. Despite this, allof the items may be quickly and easily rotated and scaled into a zonewhere interaction with the items is possible in a smooth and efficientway.

The rotation of the frames around the track is controlled explicitly bya user touching the display and rotating their touching finger orpointer in a movement corresponding to the circle basis of the display.The user may rotate their finger or pointer in either direction and at aspeed they wish, while scaling follows from the Steiner-related propertyof the chain. The user may stop the rotation when they wish and touchone of the interactive items to select it, usually one of the largerinteractive items currently displayed.

As an alternative in this first mode of touch interaction, the user maymake a flicking touch gesture in a rotation direction in order to startthe rotation of the frames in the display. The rotation may be stoppedby touching the display and selecting an interactive item. The rotationmay be at a constant speed or may have a slight deceleration in order tostop the rotation if no further touch is received.

This first mode of touch interaction provides a one dimensionalnavigation control with continuous, simultaneous and coordinated movingand scaling of all frames. Emphasis is on user control of the motionrather than computer animation. There is also no need for clutchingusing this mode.

Clutching is where repeated gestures or actions of input are required inorder to keep scrolling. In this case there is no need for clutching asthe frames continue to rotate at a constant or near constant rotationuntil the user again touches the display.

FIG. 9A shows a smartwatch (900) with an exemplary representation of auser interface on a circular, touch-sensitive display (902) thereof. Adisplay region of the user interface is provided by the display (902) ofthe smartwatch. The display may display a plurality of frames (912, 914,916, 918, 920, 922) along a track (904). The centers of the frames arelocated on the track (904) and moveable around the track (904) asdescribed in relation to FIG. 3A. FIG. 9A shows an exampletouch-sensitive display with schematic illustration of the first mode oftouch interaction.

FIG. 9A illustrates the first mode touch interaction as a touch (930)which may be rotated whilst on display in a clockwise direction (932) oranti-clockwise direction (931) or flicked in the rotation directions(932, 931) to start a generally constant speed of display rotation. Thedisplay rotation moves the frames (912, 914, 916, 918, 920, 922) alongthe track (904). The generally constant speed may gradually decelerateso that the display comes to a stop if no further interaction isreceived. This may simulate inertia, as the movement gradually slowsdown. An interactive item based in a circular frame of the display maybe selected during rotation by a further user touch input on a selectedinteractive item. A benefit of the first mode of touch interactiondescribed is that there is no frame occlusion, as the user's finger doesnot block the display of the interactive items. This may be particularlytrue with the flick touch gesture aspect in which the user removes hisfinger from the display.

If there is a constant number of interactive items in the display, forexample if there are enough frames in the display to accommodate all therequired interactive items, then the interactive items may rotaterepeatedly around the track in a cyclical frame movement. If there are agreater number of interactive items compared to the number of frames inthe display, then a transition zone may be provided at a point withinthe smallest frame in which an interactive item is replaced by a newinteractive item. In this arrangement, the transition zone may result ina smooth transition and flow through a large number of items. There isno methodical limit to the number of interactive items which might bedisplayed.

A second mode of touch-sensitive display operation is described in theform of a speed control option. This may be used as a stand-alone inputmode or in combination with the first mode of touch interaction and/orthe bezel input. In the second mode of touch interaction a touch inputprovides a non-linear speed control of the speed of rotation of theframes along the track. The second mode of touch interaction provides aone-dimensional speed control for the rotation of the frames around thetrack of the display. The one-dimensional speed control provides acenter point with two opposing directions extending from the centerpoint in a line or curve. The speed control may be provided in adistinct area of the touch-sensitive display such that it may be used inaddition to other touch-sensitive control inputs.

Movement of a user's touch along the line or curve away from the centerpoint increases the speed of rotation of the frames in the display in anon-linear manner. This enables an accurate control of small differencesat low speed, and high speed where it is possible to move very fastwhile retaining complete control. This provides kinetic control ofcontinuously variable speed, in order to be intuitively usable on atouch-sensitive display device.

FIG. 9B shows an example touch-sensitive display with schematicillustration of the second mode of touch interaction. The display asdescribed in relation to FIG. 9A is shown. The second mode of touchinteraction provides a one-dimensional speed control for rotation of theframes (912, 914, 916, 918, 920, 922) along the track (904). In thedescribed example, the one-dimensional speed control is provided as anarc extending in a first direction (941) and an opposing seconddirection (942) from a center point (940). A user touch (943) on the arcvaries the speed of rotation in a non-linear manner with slower speedsin each direction closest to the center point (940) and increasingspeeds provided as a user's touch moves along the arc away from thecenter point (940) in either direction. It is envisaged that a user'stouch and movement in the general location surrounding the arc may beprojected onto the arc and interpreted as movement along it.

The speed control may allow a user to stop quickly and completely,starting from any speed. The response to control may be perceived by auser as smooth throughout. Forward and backward speed control are mirrorimages. Unintentional jitter in finger position should not change thespeed. The speed may continue unchanged when the touch contact is madeor broken. Only relative touch movements may be used to control thespeed. The speed of rotation is not proportional to the touch movement,and details of the non-linear function mapping touch movement areprovided below.

Once speed control has been initiated by touching down on the area ofthe speed control, the touch point may be moved outside it withoutlosing control. The speed may be sustained after a lift, and notappreciably affected when touching down again. The kinetic speed controlmovement may be up and down the display or on an arc and onedimensional. It is envisaged that the center point may be variable, andmay be allocated as a first position of touch on the display.

Furthermore, it is envisaged that the second mode of operation may besuitable for individual use. This may be particularly useful to controla one-dimensional parameter in a non-linear manner, and may beparticularly useful to control a parameter that may be visualized in arotating manner. It will be apparent that touch-control need not beprovided to allow use of the second mode of touch operation, but that alever, such as a joystick, may be equally well employed to provide thismode of operation.

FIG. 10 shows a graph (1000) of an example implementation with the speedcontrol value (1010) as function (1030) of touch movement distance(1020). Note that the slope of the function (1030) is zero at the originand that its value itself is zero over a finite range [−0.03, 0.03]around the origin. The function is also clipped at absolute argumentslarger than 0.4.

The shifted equation of the positive part has the form:

v=cx²e^(dx)

where c and d are parameters that are adjusted for an exampleimplementation.

The operating system built-in measurement of the touch position returnsa centroid of the touch area. When lifting the finger serving aspointer, this position may move unintentionally due to the deformationof the finger. A possible workaround may be to save all inputs and toreverse the last few speed changes once a pointer lift has been detectedto eliminate such deformation influence. A similar argument may be madefor pointer placement. While not preventing the user from clutchingduring navigation, speed control may eliminate the need for it. Speedcontrol may be relatively easy to use and may enable both fine controlat low speeds and long distance scrolling at high speed.

FIG. 11 shows an example touch-sensitive display with a combined use ofthe first and second modes of touch interaction shown in FIGS. 9A and9B. The user input may include a combination of the first and secondmode of touch interaction and a first touch of a user on an area of thetouch-sensitive display designated for activating one of the first orsecond mode of touch interaction activates that mode of touchinteraction. In FIG. 11, an area for first touch for activating thefirst mode of touch interaction is the left half of the touch-sensitivedisplay illustrated as divided by the dashed line (950). An area forfirst touch for activating the second mode of touch interaction is theright half of the touch-sensitive display.

It will be appreciated that the areas are not required to be equal andmay be at different orientations within the display. The second mode oftouch interaction may be provided to the right of the display for easyand quick interaction with a finger of a right hand when a smartwatch ison a left wrist and vice versa if a smartwatch is worn on a right wrist.An indication of the current mode of touch interaction in use may beprovided in the form of an icon or visual indication on the display. Theindication may also include an indication if the current user input modeis via a bezel input control.

As an example implementation, an application may be provided which maybe in the form of a web application or native application.Alternatively, the functionality may be provided as part of an operatingsystem of a device. Example applications include an application launcherin which the interactive items are application icons, an emoticon orideogram selector, an image browser, a contact selector, etc.

An example of an application launcher may have a chain of 20 frames andan asymmetry that will allow direct interaction with 2 to 3 frames. Thesmallest frame almost vanishes in size, exactly at the point where itserves as both a sink and a source of items. The open area enclosed bythe chain may be used to display the name of an application whose iconis currently in the largest circle. The chain rotation rate may becontrolled in steps with the bezel or by touch-sensitive control usingthe first and/or second touch interactions described above. A tap on anyicon may launch its associated app, and a tap in the enclosed area maylaunch the app currently in focus.

When an app is launched, a brief animation may grow its icon to occupythe whole display, before switching to the first app display. On exitingthe app, the full screen icon may reappear and the reverse animationreturns the launcher to the state in which it was before the launch.These animations serve to preserve visual context for the user.

It is envisaged that the present invention may be suitable for aselection of specific characters to be sent as part of a text message.If, for example, the interactive items are emoticons, a user maynavigate the emoticons in a suitable manner as explained above. Rotationof the chain is again controlled with the bezel and/or touch interactionand an emoji is picked by tapping on it. The chain need not bestationary for picking to work, and it is not stopped by doing so. Abuffer may be provided associated with the display, and a user may beallowed to add multiple emoticons to the buffer and perform a sendaction to transmit the emoticons as part of a message. An informationdisplay zone may be used to show one or more emoji that has already beenpicked and that are in the buffer. When this functionality is providedon a smartwatch, a user may reply to a message using only emoticons,rather than attempting to select individual alphanumeric characters ofwords on the smartwatch. A left-swipe in the information display zonearea may implement backspace, removing the last character from thebuffer. Tapping in the information display zone may exit the selector,sending the buffer as a message. This may be sent to a keyboardapplication for further use.

Touch interaction techniques may achieve effective interaction with alarge number of content items on a small round screen. The learningcurve to master use of the application may be minimal.

While the chains in the example applications may have 20 frames in thetrack of the display, there may be more items in the set, for example 60emoticons in the set. It will typically take longer on average to get tothe desired item when the total number of items increases, butinteraction with 200 items or more may still be practical.

The described display and interaction method provide for interactiveitems to swirl around and smoothly change their sizes, enablingrelatively easy viewing and selection of the larger sized interactiveitems. The interactive items may be controlled to continuously glidethrough the user's focus. The user may be empowered to control themovement and selection. The interactive items may be switched in asmallest circular frame in order to provide additional interactive itemsfor display where the number of interactive items exceeds the number offrames displayed at a given time.

An interactive item may be animated to maximize from its position whenselected. This may include that the interactive item grows until itcovers the entire display or the area enclosed by the outer border. Insome embodiments, a return, back or undo function may be provided, andthe maximized interactive item may be animated to its previous positionin the frame again when this function is selected. This may provide avisual orientation to a user with respect to the selected interactiveitem's context.

The above embodiments describe and illustrate only use of a circularsmartwatch with a circular display as a device on which the method andsystem may be implemented, but it will be apparent to a person skilledin the art that the present invention may be employed on multiplealternative electronic devices. Although the method and system areparticularly suited for use with small, round, electronic displays, itmay be used on any display. For example, if the display method isemployed on a rectangular display screen, it may free up space on thedisplay outside the chain of circles to display alternativeapplications, information, or the like, or may simply remain blank.Additionally, while only circular frames, outer and inner borders weredescribed and illustrated above, the system and method may be equallywell used with elliptical frames, outer and inner borders, with a majorand minor axis of different lengths. This will allow the display to fillup a rectangular screen to a greater extent than a display with circularinner and outer boundaries and frames. Mapping the chain's centralellipse to a curve or a line may be another way to adapt the method torectangular displays and larger scales.

For devices that do not allow direct interaction, for example personalcomputers, laptops, television screens or the like, user input may beprovided via any alternative means. For example, an external inputcomponent such as a keyboard, mouse, remote control or the like may allbe used to provide the necessary input. These devices may typically beexternal of the actual display.

FIG. 12 shows an embodiment where a rectangular screen, such as acomputer or television screen, oriented in a landscape manner, is usedas a display (1100) for the method and system. A plurality of ellipticalframes (1102, 1104, 1106, 1108, 1110) are provided on the display alongan elliptical track (922). Not all of the frames are numbered. An innerboundary (1114) and outer boundary (1116) are also provided, as in theprevious embodiments described above, and which border the frames. Atrack is defined between the inner and outer boundaries. The outerboundary (1116) abuts all four sides of the rectangular display (1100).The display of FIG. 12 may operate in exactly the same manner as thedisplays of FIGS. 3A to 11.

In the present embodiment, interactive items provided within the framesare videos. The videos are represented by alphanumeric digits, andVID08, VID10, VID12, VID14 and VID16 are clearly visible, with theelliptical frames hidden from view and therefore shown in broken lines.Videos are typically rectangular in shape, with the result that theellipses of the present embodiment may be more suited to fit videostherein than circular frames. Video may be shaped so that corners ofvideo frame lie on the boundaries of the frames, or so that the cornersof the videos are cut off and so that the video fills the entire frame.Upon a selection action performed on any of the interactive items, thespecific video may maximize, enlarging and filling the whole rectangularscreen. It is further envisaged that all or some of the videos may playas they move along the track. In one embodiment, only the largest fivevideos may play simultaneously as they are displayed. This may provide auser with a preview of a number of interactive items. Information aboutsome of interactive items may be displayed in an information displayspace (1118) within the inner boundary (1114). This may be a currentheading description, such as a directory name, a file name of theinteractive item in the largest frame, or the like.

It will be apparent that other multimedia items, such as photos, may bedisplayed in the same manner as the videos of FIG. 12. Different typesof multimedia files, typically a mixture of videos and photos, may besimilarly displayed. It will be apparent that the videos may play asthey move along the track, while the photos will remain stationaryimages. Videos may be directly streamed from an online source. This mayallow navigation of a video on demand system, with introductory clips orpreview videos of a specific show, movie or the like playing as theframe containing such interactive item moves on the track. Hierarchiesmay also be navigated, as explained further below. In a hierarchyembodiment, a preview or overview of a show containing multiple episodesmay be displayed in a higher level hierarchy before selection of theinteractive item containing such preview displays the individualepisodes, seasons or the like. Selection of a first interactive item,which defines a main hierarchy heading, may bring up related,sub-heading interactive items. These sub-heading interactive items maybe replace the main hierarchy headings in the display, so that thesub-heading hierarchal items fill the entire display. A return, back orundo input performed by a user and received by the system may causereverse navigation through the hierarchy, with a previous main headinginteractive item then replacing presently displayed sub-headinginteractive items in the display. This may allow a user to navigatethrough files and folders. Additionally, related interactive items maybe grouped in such main and sub-heading groups, and may be navigatedwith the present method.

Sub-heading hierarchies may alternatively already be displayed within aninteractive item itself. FIG. 13 shows a display (1150) in accordancewith the present invention wherein three interactive items (1152, 1154,1156) are all lower order display regions. Each of these threeinteractive items (1152, 1154, 1156) are a smaller version of the maindisplay, and each include a plurality of lower order interactive items(1158, 1160, 1162) on a lower order track (1164).

The lower order track extends along a lower order path (1164) createdbetween an outer elliptical border and an inner elliptical border of theframe, with the inner border of the interactive items lying within theouter border of the interactive item and with a center of the innerborder of the interactive item offset from a center of the outer borderof the interactive item exactly as the main display of FIG. 10. Aplurality of lower order elliptical frames are provided along the lowerorder track (1164), each lower order frame in contact with the outerborder of the interactive item, the inner border of the interactiveitem, a first neighboring lower order frame adjacent it and in a firstdirection along the lower order track, and a second lower orderneighboring frame adjacent it and in an opposite, second direction alongthe lower order track (1164).

When a selection action is performed on an interactive item including alower order track, the lower order track with its interactive itemsexpand to fill up the display (1150), and may be navigated exactly asexplained above. The lower order items may be items in a hierarchy lowerdown, and may for example be a folder containing additional items. Thismay allow a user to navigate a folder structure.

It is envisaged that a selection input may need to be performed to entera lower order hierarchy and display it on the display, while a return,back or undo input may return to a previous, higher hierarchy. Animationmay be incorporated so that the lower order hierarchy shrinks back intoan interactive item upon a return, back or undo input being received. Aselection input may be tapping of a touch-sensitive display, a mouseclick, or the like, while a return, back or undo input may be adifferent type of mouse click, a double tap, or the like.

It is envisaged that more than second lower order tracks and interactiveitems may be provided within lower order interactive items. This mayprovide an overview of a lower order hierarchy and may assist innavigating the structure. Lower order interactive items may also rotateon their respective interactive tracks with the main interactive items.It is envisaged that up to four levels of a hierarchy may be displayedat once. A size of a resolution and screen may determine the levels thatmay be adequately displayed at the same time. More than one input methodmay be employed to control the movement of different hierarchies ofinteractive items.

It will be apparent that some interactive items displayed on a track maybe lower order hierarchies, while others may be interactive items thatmay be selected, such as an application or media file. This may besimilar to navigating a file and folder structure typically found on acomputer directory system.

FIG. 14 shows an embodiment where multiple displays (1170, 1172, 1174,1176) in accordance with the present invention are provided on a singlerectangular display. Each of the displays may be individually controlledso that they rotate independently, and may also be individually selectedto fill up the respective displays. This may allow a user oversight overseveral interactive items, for example where control of a machine isperformed by a single person, or business intelligence information needsto be available to a user in a dashboard-like fashion. The displays maybe controllable by appropriate input devices for each display, or withplacement of a pointer over a specific one of the displays andinteracting with the displays in any suitable manner, such as via atouch-sensitive display on which the displays may be provided, a mousepointer, or the like.

It is further envisaged that the present method may be used to cyclethrough social media posts. A user may simply glance at the contents ofthe interactive item, presently then a social media post, and select theitem to look at it in more detail. In the rectangular display shown inFIG. 14, where multiple displays (1170, 1172, 1174, 1176) are provided,a group of social media posts may be cycled within each display. Thismay allow a user to group social media posts by, for example, friendsand family, influencers, celebrities, news sites, or the like. Eachdisplay may then display posts form an allocated group. This may providea smoother browsing experience than scrolling through an extensive list.It will be apparent that social media posts may include videos, photos,text or the like, particularly a combination of such items.

The technique may be used with lean back interaction environments, forexample when selecting videos on a large TV screen with a remotecontrol. Advantages of such an embodiment may include continuousautomatic introduction of new items via chain rotation and simplicity ofcontrol. The present invention may also be used to navigate televisionchannels, where a user may wish to be provided with examples of what iscurrently played on a channel before selecting the channel itself.

It is envisaged that a unique remote control device may be provided to auser, with only a few buttons, with which the user may operate thedisplay of the present invention. The remote may, for example, include abutton to control a speed and/or direction of movement, a button toselect an interactive item, or reverse a previously selected input. Itwill be apparent to a person skilled in the art that such a remotecontrol device may allow full navigational control with minimal buttonsprovided. It is envisaged that a small narrow touch strip may suffice tocontrol rotation rate, while selection may be implemented with a tap onthe strip or with an additional button.

It is envisaged that a user may be able to adjust the appearance and/oroperation of the display. The user may be allowed to change the numberof frames on the display, the size of the outer boundary, the offset ofthe inner boundary, the difference in size between the largest and thesmallest frame on the display, and the like. Furthermore, a user may beallowed to set a maximum movement speed for the frames, or may beallowed to choose a selection method that will select an interactiveitem in a frame.

It will be apparent that the present display method may be usablewithout the requirement for user interaction. In removing userinteraction, the same display method may be employed simply to showcontent in various frames, which may provide a pleasant viewing andpreview experience to a user.

Visibility of interactive items may be controlled in various ways. Forexample, items may be slightly out of focus in smaller frames, and maybecome more focused as their frames enlarge.

Alternatively, the interactive items may be a fixed resolution, withmore of the item becoming visible as the boundary of the frame enlarges,exposing more of the interactive item therein. As a further alternative,interactive items may be covered with disks of variable transparency.

Throughout the specification and claims unless the contents requiresotherwise the word ‘comprise’ or variations such as ‘comprises’ or‘comprising’ will be understood to imply the inclusion of a statedinteger or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integeror group of integers.

1. A display and interaction method in a user interface of an electronicdevice including the steps of, at the electronic device: providing adisplay region of the user interface for displaying a plurality ofinteractive items on a track, the track extending along a path createdbetween an outer elliptical border and an inner elliptical border, withthe inner border lying within the outer border and with a center of theinner border offset from a center of the outer border; providing aplurality of frames along the track, each frame in contact with theouter border, the inner border, a first neighboring frame adjacent itand in a first direction along the track, and a second neighboring frameadjacent it and in an opposite, second direction along the track;displaying one or more interactive items each based on one of theframes; and in response to receiving a predetermined user input, movingthe plurality of frames along the track, with the plurality of frameschanging in size to remain in contact with the inner boundary, outerboundary, first neighboring frame and second neighboring frame whilstmoving.
 2. A display and interaction method as claimed in claim 1wherein each of the one or more interactive items are within one of theframes and wherein an interactive item changes in size corresponding toa change in size of its frame.
 3. A display and interaction method asclaimed in claim 1 wherein an interactive item fades into or out of viewcorresponding to a change in size of the frame.
 4. A display andinteraction method as claimed in claim 1 wherein a frame only displays apart of an interactive item, with an increase in size of the frameallowing for visibility of more of the interactive item.
 5. A displayand interaction method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the track iselliptical, the frames are elliptical, and centers of the ellipticalframes move along the track.
 6. A display and interaction method asclaimed in claim 1 wherein the outside border is defined by or liesadjacent to a boundary of a circular display of the electronic device.7. A display and interaction method as claimed in claim 1 that includesthe step of, in response to receiving a selection input, selecting aninteractive item.
 8. A display and interaction method as claimed inclaim 1 wherein the predetermined user input includes a mode of touchinteraction in which the frames are moved along the track in response toa rotating touch input on a touch-sensitive display of the userinterface or in response to a rotation flicking gesture on thetouch-sensitive display in a desired rotation direction.
 9. A displayand interaction method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the predetermineduser input includes a mode of touch interaction in which a touch inputprovides a non-linear speed control of the speed of rotation of a framesalong the track, and wherein the non-linear speed control is a onedimensional control having a center point from which touch movement in afirst direction away from the center point causes accelerated rotationof the frames in a first direction along the track and touch movement ina second direction away from the center point causes an acceleratedrotation of the frames in a second direction along the track.
 10. Adisplay and interaction method as claimed in claim 1 wherein a number offrames provided on the display is less than a number of interactiveitems in a list such that the interactive items in the frames at a giventime represent a subset of the total number of interactive items in thelist.
 11. A display and interaction method as claimed in claim 10 thatincludes the step of providing a transition zone, and wherein thedisplay is configured such that the subset of interactive items isupdated as a frame moves through the transition zone.
 12. A display andinteraction method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the interactive itemsdefine hierarchy headings, with selection of a main hierarchy headinginteractive item causing replacement of the interactive items on thedisplay with sub-heading interactive items associated with the selectedhierarchy heading interactive item.
 13. A display and interaction methodas claimed in claim 12 that includes the step of, responsive toreceiving a return input whilst sub-heading interactive items aredisplayed, causing replacement of the sub-heading interactive items onthe display with main heading interactive items.
 14. A display andinteraction method as claimed in claim 1 wherein at least one of theinteractive items is a lower order display region for displaying aplurality of lower order interactive items on a lower order track, thelower order track extending along a lower order path created between alower order outer elliptical border and an lower order inner ellipticalborder within the at least one interactive item, with the lower orderinner border lying within the lower order outer border and with a centerof the lower order inner border offset from a center of the lower orderouter border.
 15. A display and interaction method as claimed in claim 1wherein the step of moving the plurality of frames along the trackincludes adjusting a speed of movement, and wherein the movementsimulates inertia by gradually slowing down responsive to apredetermined user input that resulted in the movement.
 16. A displayand interaction method as claimed in claim 1 wherein a plurality ofdisplay regions are provided on a single display of the electronicdevice.
 17. A display and interaction method as claimed in claim 1wherein the elliptical outer border, the elliptical inner border and theframes are circular and form a Steiner chain.
 18. A display andinteraction method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the interactive itemsare selected from the list comprising: multimedia items, emoticons, menuheadings, social media posts, video previews, application icons, contactlist items, and phone numbers.
 19. A display and interaction method asclaimed in claim 1, wherein the track, the outer elliptical border, theinner elliptical border and the elliptical frames are hidden from viewon the user interface while the interactive items are displayed.
 20. Anelectronic device having a user interface and comprising: a displaycomponent for displaying a plurality of interactive items on a track onthe user interface, the track extending along a path created between anouter elliptical border and an inner elliptical border, with the innerborder lying within the outer border and with a center of the innerborder offset from a center of the outer border; a frame managementcomponent for providing a plurality of frames along the track, eachframe in contact with the outer border, the inner border, a firstneighboring frame adjacent it and in a first direction along the track,and a second neighboring frame adjacent it and in an opposite, seconddirection along the track; an interactive item management component fordisplaying an interactive item within at least some of the frames; andan input component for receiving user input and in response to receivinga predetermined user input, moving the plurality of frames along thetrack, with the plurality of frames changing in size to remain incontact with the inner boundary, outer boundary, first neighboring frameand second neighboring frame whilst moving.